Food and health ingredients company Acatris will use this year's Vitafoods exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland in May as a platform to tackle men's issues with the launch of its new product, LinumLife.
Aimed at adressing prostate health and hair loss the ingredient is derived from flax and contains a naturally high level of lignans, according to the company, about 10-30 times higher than traditional flax ingredients.
"The men's health market is growing rapidly. The occurrence of prostate problems among men increases with age. With LinumLife they can take preventative measures in order to avoid problems," said Liesbeth Neven, product manager at Acatris, a division of the Dutch Royal Schouten group.
" However, men already suffering from the symptoms of an enlarged prostate can benefit from LinumLife as well, since lignans are scientifically related to not only decreasing the symptoms, but also reducing the prostate size," she added.
There is a body of scientific thought that suggests prostate enlargement could be related to the male hormone testosterone. Lignans, stresses Acatris, have been reported to influence the metabolism of testosterone and so, positively affecting the prostate health.
Hair loss has also been associated with testosterone and its metabolites. Losing hair is a hormone dependent process that continuously 'miniaturises' the sensitive hair follicles. Acatris claims that lignans influence the metabolism process by preventing the hair from thinning and eventually falling out.
"Hair loss and thinning of hair are sensitive and frustrating subjects for both men and women. LinumLife is a completely natural product that can play an important role for this condition," commented Liesbeth Neven.